Lydia

A map of ancient regions of Anatolia

Lydia was an ancient kingdom in Anatolia which occupied the valleys of the Hermus and Cayster rivers. From the middle of the 7th century to the middle of the 6th century the Lydians were the most powerful people in Anatolia. They were said to have been the first makers of gold and silver coins.

Croesus (595 BC – c. 546 BC) was a king of Lydia who is said to have reigned for 14 years: from 560 BC until he was defeated by the Persian king Cyrus the Great in 546 BC. Croesus was famous for his great wealth.

Lydia Media

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  The temple of Artemis in Sardis, capital of Lydia

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  Tripolis on the Meander is an ancient Lydian city in Turkey.

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  Büyük Menderes River, also known as the Maeander is a river in Lydia.

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  Gyges tablet, British Museum

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  Bin Tepe royal funeral tumulus (tomb of Alyattes, father of Croesus), Lydia, 6th century BC.

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  Lydia's borders under the reign of Croesus

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  Portrait of Croesus, last king of Lydia, Attic red-figure amphora, painted ca. 500–490 BC.

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  Lydia, including Ionia, during the Achaemenid Empire.

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  Xerxes I tomb, Lydian soldier of the Achaemenid army, circa 480 BC

Source

• Lydia: ancient region, Anatolia; Encyclopædia Britannica